Modular small cell architecture
A wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a common module, is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has a power supply. A sector radio module is coupled to the power supply and includes an access radio and an access antenna. The access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, and is also shaped as a sector of a cylinder.
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As wireless data service demands have grown, a conventional response has been to increase the number and capacity of conventional cellular Base Stations (Macro-Cells). However, Macro Cell sites are becoming less available, and available spectrum limits how much additional capacity can be derived from a given Macro Cell. Accordingly, small cell radios and antenna combinations have been developed to “fill in” underserved or congested areas that would otherwise be within a macro site. Deployment of small cells, particularly in Urban environments is expected to continue to grow.
Currently known small cells integrate an access radio and antenna and a back-haul radio and antenna in a single assembly. Often, heat sink fins are exposed. Such small cell radios may face opposition to installation due to poor aesthetics. Also, they are typically too heavy for a single person to lift, and require lifting machinery (a crane or bucket truck) to install on a pole. Such radios also typically lack a path for sector or carrier growth, have RF “blind spots” caused by a mounting pole, and lack flexibility in back-haul links, or selective provision of additional services. Integrated base station antennas in access radios offer poor RF delivery which can result in reduced capacity handling and higher costs.
A modular sectorized small-cell architecture is disclosed herein. The modular architecture includes one or more common modules coupled to one or more sector radio modules. The disclosed architecture results in lightweight modular components that a single service technician can lift and install without lifting machinery. Due to the sectorized designs, there is no RF blind spot. Capacity may be added on an as-needed basis, keeping costs in line with service demands and revenues. Also, back-haul options and additional services may be configured and added in a modular fashion. Finally, the modules have a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
In one example, referring to
Each common module 21 is typically coupled to a Sector Radio Module 20. At a minimum, the common module 21 provides power to the Sector Radio Module 20. The common module 21 may also provide a back-haul link to the Sector Radio Module 20 via the optical fiber demarcation.
The Sector Radio Modules 20 each include an access radio and antenna. In the illustrated examples, the Sector Radio Modules 20 are shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder. The access radio 24 and antenna are configured, for example, to communicate with mobile handsets and other wireless data devices. In the illustrated example, the access radio antenna is configured to have a half power beam width of approximately 65°. This allows each of the three illustrated Sector Radio Modules to serve a 120° sector, providing a three-sector small cell site. None of the three sectors are occluded by the mounting pole. A set of Base Station modules separate to the radio modules may be located at a higher point on the pole to offer improved RF coverage if required. These may be contained in a separate set of modules OR be attached to a stand-off bracket which will include an internal coax jumper cable, fixing point for the antenna and fixing point to the pole.
The Sector Radio Modules 20 also may include a low capacity back-haul radio and antenna 25, and/or a high capacity back-haul and antenna. In one example, a Sector Radio Module 20 may be equipped with a low capacity back-haul antenna 27 and radio to establish a back-haul link with another small cell site, such as another Sector Radio Module. In another example, Sector Radio Module 20 may be equipped with a low capacity back-haul antenna and radio to receive back-haul data from another small cell site, and a high capacity back-haul antenna 26 and radio to establish a back-haul link with a macro cell site or other back-haul link. In other examples, a Sector Radio Module having only a high capacity back-haul antenna and radio, and a Sector Radio Module having no back-haul radio or antenna may be installed. In the last example, back-haul may be established through the optical fiber demarcation in the common module or another Sector Radio Module mounted on the pole.
There are several features incorporated into the radome cover assemblies for the Sector Radio Modules. Some or all of these features may also be incorporated in the radomes/covers for the common modules.
For example, referring to
Additional details of the radio cooling system are illustrated in
Another benefit of the modularity of the disclosed system is illustrated in
Claims
1. A wireless communications system, comprising:
- a common module, incorporating a power supply that converts utility power to a voltage and current suitable to power access radio operation, the common module being shaped as a sector of a cylinder and configured to be mounted exteriorily on an antenna mounting pole; and
- a sector radio module coupled to and powered by the power supply of the common module, and configured to be mounted adjacent to the common module on the pole, the sector radio module including an access radio and an access antenna, the access antenna being configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, the sector radio module further being shaped as a sector of a cylinder;
- wherein the sector radio module further comprises a back-haul radio and a back-haul antenna;
- wherein the sector radio module further comprises a radome, and the radome includes different tuning dielectric inserts for the access antenna and the back-haul antenna to allow dielectric properties of the radome to be matched to the access antenna and the back-haul antenna.
2. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the common module further provides an optical fiber demarcation and a back-haul link to the access radio of the sector radio module via the optical fiber demarcation.
3. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the back-haul radio comprises a low capacity back-haul radio.
4. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the back-haul radio comprises a high capacity back-haul radio.
5. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the common module comprises a plurality of common modules, and the sector radio module comprises a plurality of sector radio modules, wherein a combination of the plurality of sector radio modules provides 360 degree access radio coverage.
6. The wireless communications system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprises three sector radio modules, each sector radio module being shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder.
7. The wireless communications system of claim 6 wherein the access antenna is configured to have a half power beam width of approximately 65°.
8. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the sector radio module comprises a plurality of sector radio modules coupled to the common module.
9. The wireless communications system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprise a first sector radio module associated with a first wireless network operator and a second sector radio module associated with a second wireless network operator mounted adjacent to the first sector radio module on the antenna mounting pole.
10. The wireless communications system of claim 1, wherein the radome further comprises a lightweight molded plastic cover having perforations allowing intake of cooling air such that the cooling air is directed onto heat sinks of the access radio and back-haul radio.
11. The wireless communications system of claim 1 comprising three common modules, three sector radio modules associated with a first network operator, and three sector radio modules associated with a second network operator wherein the common modules supply power to the sector radio modules of both network operators.
12. A wireless communications system, comprising:
- a common module, incorporating a power supply that converts utility power to a voltage and current suitable to power access radio operation, the common module being shaped as a sector of a cylinder and configured to be mounted exteriorily on an antenna mounting pole; and
- a sector radio module coupled to and powered by the power supply of the common module, and configured to be mounted adjacent to the common module on the pole, the sector radio module including an access radio and an access antenna, the access antenna being configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, the sector radio module further being shaped as a sector of a cylinder;
- wherein the sector radio module further comprises a back-haul radio and a back-haul antenna;
- wherein the sector radio module further comprises a radome including a first dielectric insert tuned to a frequency band of the access antenna, a second dielectric insert tuned to a frequency band of a low capacity back-haul antenna, and a third dielectric insert tuned to a frequency band of a high capacity back-haul antenna.
13. A wireless communications system, comprising:
- a common module, incorporating a power supply that converts utility power to a voltage and current suitable to power access radio operation, the common module being shaped as a sector of a cylinder and configured to be mounted exteriorily on an antenna mounting pole; and
- a sector radio module coupled to and powered by the power supply of the common module, and configured to be mounted adjacent to the common module on the pole, the sector radio module including an access radio and an access antenna, the access antenna being configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, the sector radio module further being shaped as a sector of a cylinder;
- wherein the system comprises three common modules, three sector radio modules associated with a first network operator, and three sector radio modules associated with a second network operator wherein the common modules supply power to the sector radio modules of both network operators;
- wherein a back-haul for the first network operator is established via back-haul radio link and a back-haul for the second network operator is established via an optical fiber demarcation of the common modules.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 26, 2014
Date of Patent: Aug 30, 2016
Patent Publication Number: 20150057047
Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC (Hickory, NC)
Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix (Richardson, TX), Robert G. Slorach (Kilmarnack), Michael D. Fabbri (Des Plaines, IL)
Primary Examiner: Ajibola Akinyemi
Application Number: 14/316,424
International Classification: H04M 1/00 (20060101); H04W 88/08 (20090101); H01Q 1/24 (20060101); H04B 1/40 (20150101);